Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe
If you follow EU climate politics, you have almost certainly felt the influence of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe—even if you have not seen its name on the headlines. CAN Europe is a Brussels‑based NGO coalition that has become one of the most effective engines behind stronger climate policy in the European Union, while remaining firmly rooted in European civil society rather than operating as a global brand.
Who they are
CAN Europe describes itself as “Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting the climate crisis,” and, in practice, that’s not an exaggeration. Based in Brussels, it brings together around 200 member organisations across roughly 40 European countries, representing more than 1,700 NGOs and tens of millions of citizens. This gives CAN Europe an unusually broad base: national environment groups, grassroots organisations, development NGOs and specialist think‑tanks all feed into a shared EU‑level strategy.
Rather than being a single large NGO, CAN Europe is the hub of a network. A central secretariat in Brussels coordinates advocacy and campaigns, while members work in their own countries and sectors, then feed intelligence and political signals back into the EU conversation. That structure allows local realities—energy poverty in Eastern Europe, air‑quality battles in major cities, or resistance to fossil‑fuel projects—to surface quickly in Brussels negotiations.
Since October 2021, CAN Europe has been led by Director Chiara Martinelli, who steers the network’s overall strategy and represents it towards EU institutions, funders and the media. Under her leadership, the secretariat focuses on core files like the European Green Deal, the EU Climate Law, the Fit for 55 package, just transition and international climate finance.
What they do and how they do it
At its core, CAN Europe exists to help civil society influence climate and energy policy in Europe. It translates technical, fast‑moving EU issues into shared positions and campaigns, then pushes them through EU institutions and national capitals. Priority areas include EU climate targets, carbon pricing, fossil‑fuel phase‑out, methane regulation, climate finance and the social dimensions of the transition.
Amongst concrete initiatives include:
- PLAN4CLIMATE, which supports robust and credible National Energy and Climate Plans.
- Campaigns like “The Cost of Methane,” which highlight upstream emissions across fossil‑fuel supply chains.
- “Hands Off Nature!” efforts to protect core environmental law against political rollbacks.
- Housing‑focused work under slogans such as “Build Better Lives,” linking energy efficiency, affordability and climate.
These efforts rarely stand alone. CAN Europe combines in‑depth policy analysis with coalition sign‑on letters, tightly timed media work, technical briefings for decision‑makers and mobilisation of member organisations in key countries.[5][1]
Why CAN Europe is effective
Three features make CAN Europe particularly influential in the EU context.
First, policy impact: CAN Europe is recognised by peers and EU institutions as a central civil‑society voice on the European Green Deal, EU climate law and Fit for 55. Its analysis and joint positions have fed into negotiations on extending carbon pricing, designing the Social Climate Fund and tightening methane rules, among others.
Second, agenda‑setting power: CAN Europe is part of the Green 10, the alliance of ten major environmental organisations and networks active at EU level. Through this platform, it co‑signs high‑profile interventions to EU leaders, including letters urging the Commission and Parliament to defend and strengthen Green Deal legislation rather than dilute it under political pressure. These interventions often help set the frame for Brussels debates.
Third, network leverage: Because it links hundreds of NGOs in around 40 countries, CAN Europe can rapidly synchronise national campaigns with EU‑level lobbying. For example, ahead of COP29, it hosted a live broadcast on the EU’s stance on the new international climate‑finance goal, bringing experts together and adding pressure on EU finance ministers. Its participation in MEP “scoreboards” on climate voting records turns complex legislative histories into simple accountability tools that campaigners and voters can use.
Taken together, these elements make CAN Europe one of the most effective locally based climate actors in the EU: rooted in European civil society, anchored in Brussels, technically credible and politically plugged‑in. For readers interested in EU climate politics, it is an organisation worth watching—and, if needed, contacting directly. For anyone looking to connect—whether for research, journalism or collaboration—the Brussels office at Rue d’Edimbourg 26, 1050 Brussels, and the general email info@caneurope.org are the main gateways. An email addressed to Director Chiara Martinelli routed via this contact is consistent with how the organisation presents itself publicly.
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard European Union Country Manager, Syaliza Mustapha.
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